School’s out and that means it’s time for adventure. We are heading into a week of holidays; the Eid Al Fitr break is starting from Monday; and that means celebrations, feasts and travel. Not looking to zip abroad or sit at home? We’ve got you covered with a ton of activities for the adventurer.
First off, there’s the conventional: beach visits and water sports. Mountain climbing. Zip lining. Skydiving. Then there are the more unusual plans. That’s where we come in. Try these thrilling things to do:
Kayak through the mangroves: Or just take a speedboat, when you visit Ras Al Khaimah’s Al Rams fishing village. At the centre of a pearl farm, ensconced by Al Hajar mountain range, stands a two-storey pearling museum, where you can not only learn about UAE’s history but also have the opportunity to fish out a pearl from the mouth of an oyster.
Cycle through Mushrif National Park: Take the kids on a cool adventure through the woods, the wind streaking through your hair. There are three levels of difficulty – green, red and blue – along the 20-kilometre route. We suggest heading there early (it opens at 8am or in the evening for a cool trip). The park is open till 10pm.
Travel back in time at the Khorfakkan Traditional Craft Museum: Wonder what the UAE looked like before the steel and glass titans that paint skylines across the emirates? Head to the craft museum for a peek. There is a house right out of yesteryear, and each room depicts a certain traditional occupation, from pearling to fishing.
Learn about beekeeping: Check out the non-profit organisation Beekeepers Association in Dubai, which is located in Sustainable City. They have workshops, open days and even courses where kids can learn all about bees. Over the weekends, kids get to suit up for activities and take home a souvenir post workshop as well.
Go diving at Martini Rock, off the coast of Fujairah: Enjoy your days in the water, exploring this reef teeming with marine life including cuttlefish, snappers, fusiliers, lionfish, burrfish moray eels and turtles. On a good day, visibility goes up to 20 metres.
Get ready for an animal encounter at Ras Al Khor Wildlife Sanctuary: While this wetland reserve is best known for its pink feathery inmates, the flamingos, it is also home to an array of other animals including grey herons, great egrets, reef herons, cormorants, black-winged stilts, Arabian red foxes and even sandpipers. Take along a well-charged phone and your camera for an informative, unforgettable trip.
See the stars from Al Quaa desert: About 90 minutes from Abu Dhabi, going towards Al Ain, lies a spot that offers unparalleled views of the Milky Way. Drive into the desert using Google Maps for the space that sees the sky light up.
Drive, walk or cycle around Al Qudra lake: The man-made waterbody located in the middle of the Seih Al Salam desert is home to more than 180 species of birds, gazelles and desert foxes. Carry a little picnic hamper when you head here – there aren’t many eateries around. There are however, scenic views, usually a gentle breeze and lots of space to play for families.
